Carey College Diary

Term 1 2012
Posted 31-01-2012

Term 1 Begins Term 1 begins for us on Tuesday 31 January. This is different from some schools that start on different dates this week.

Mr Drake Helping PCS Mr Drake regularly helps other Christian schools with things like staffing, employment relations, training, and liaison with Government agencies. In the first week of the term he will be helping Pacific Christian School in Mangere focus on what makes a Christian school distinctive as they prepare for another year of teaching.

Term 1 Assemblies We hold a school assembly on the first Thursday every month (during school terms). For this term those dates are 2 February, 1 March and 5 April. Our school theme this year is “Wonder”: Psalm 19 declares that God’s creation declares God’s wonderful glory. We hope to encourage children to be observant of that glory and wonder at it! Check out this term’s devotional to see more of this theme.

Staff Professional Development Teachers were again engaged in Professional Development in the week before school started. We reviewed three areas of our teaching: 1. How to read and teach the Bible; 2. How we encourage a culture of grace in the school; and 3. What is the Christian Worldview. The latter topic is foundational for shaping our curriculum and our nurture of children. We used a small booklet parents are welcome to borrow: What is the Christian Worldview by Philip Ryken. We also completed reviewing our standards - all that is left now is to finish writing them so we can publish them, something we hope to do this term.

Cambridge Information We will meet with all students planning to take Cambridge subjects this year, and the parents or caregivers, at 3:00 pm on Tuesday 7 February (next Tuesday). The way in which Cambridge qualifications are structured and examined is really supportive of students but because it is different, needs to be understood by parents and children before courses are finalised. It is essential therefore that every student attends with at least one parent or caregiver - students will not be permitted to begin Cambridge courses without full participation in this briefing.

Stardome Adventure & Annual Picnic We are looking forward to the Stardome Adventure for all students (and parents who want to join us) on Friday 10 February at 4:30 pm. The hour-long presentation in the Planetarium will help children explore the wonder of God’s creation of the universe. That will be followed by our annual school picnic at 6:00 pm in Cornwall Park (adjacent to the Stardome). Details will be sent home separately but please note that there has been a small change in previously advised details: it has been changed from a barbecue to a picnic - easier for everyone!

Brain Bee Challenge This is scheduled for 12 March - details will be passed to relevant parents/pupils once details have been finalised.

External Candidate Closing Date 15 March is the last date for external candidates to register with Carey College for CIE exams later this year. We require pre-enrolment of external candidates to protect children and parents from going into those exams without adequate knowledge of the system or preparation for examinations that have a different syllabus and different standards from the New Zealand curriculum and qualifications.

Parent Interviews 29 March We schedule formal parent interviews twice a year: in t4rm 1 and Term 3. Term 1 interviews are crucial for the exchange of information between parents and teachers at a time when insights into children’s progress can be used to adapt courses and provide for optimum progress during the year. Booking forms for primary children are in the back of Primary Course Records, and for secondary pupils will be in the back of their Module 2 Course Records (issued in week 6).

Term 1 Ends 5 April This is a Thursday - with the Easter weekend beginning the next day. School closes at 2:00 pm at the end of Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3. At the end of Term 4 school closes at mid-day. The term break runs for two weeks, with term two beginning Monday 23 April.